Roynish

Roynish is an obscure word meaning mangy, paltry, or troublesome. William Shakespeare uses the word in his play, As You Like It, "My lord, the roynish clown, at whom so oft Your Grace was wont to laugh, is also missing." (Second Lord to Duke Frederick, Act II, Scene II)

Last updated: March 16, 2005.

a.

[F. rogneux, from rogne scab, mange, itch.]
Mangy; scabby; hence, mean; paltry; troublesome. [Written also roinish.] [Obs.] «The roynish clown.» Shak.

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[fr. roin, scurf, scab + ish; fr. (assumed) Vulgar Latin ronea]
archaic  (also roinish and roinous)  mangy, scabby; coarse, mean, base